Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mwalimu alitoa mfano mzuri; tusije tukaupuuza. - The teacher gave a good example; let’s not end up ignoring it.

Mwalimu = teacher (class 1 noun)
a-li-toa = a- (3rd person sg subject for class 1) + -li- (past) + -toa (give/produce) → “gave”
mfano mzuri = “a good example” (mfano = example, mzuri = good, agreeing with class 3)
t(u)-si-je = tu- (we) + si- (neg) + -je (subjunctive of the verb “kuja,” stem ja) → “lest we (come to…)”
tu-ka-u-puuza = tu- (we) + -ka- (consecutive/then) + u- (object marker for class 3 “mfano”) + puuza (ignore) → “then end up ignoring it”

What does the pattern “tusije … tuka- …” mean?

It’s a very common caution/warning construction meaning “lest … / so that we don’t end up … / in case we (might) ….” Literally “let’s not come (to the point that) we then ….” It warns against an unintended outcome rather than directly commanding not to do it.

Why is -ka- used in “tukaupuuza”?

The infix -ka- is the “consecutive/narrative” marker. In this construction (usije/ tusije + tuka- …), -ka- introduces the possible subsequent event that could happen if you’re not careful. It’s the standard way to phrase “lest we then ….”

What is the “u” inside “tukaupuuza”?

It’s the object marker u- referring back to mfano (class 3). Class 3 objects take u- as the object marker (e.g., “Nauona mti” = I see the tree). So “tukaupuuza” = “we then ignore it.”

Do I have to use the object marker? Could I repeat the noun?

Both are possible:

With the object marker (pronominal, referring back): tusije tukaupuuza (“…lest we end up ignoring it.”)
Repeating the noun: tusije tukapuuza mfano (mzuri) (“…lest we end up ignoring the (good) example.”) Using the object marker is very natural here because the noun was just mentioned.

Why is it “mfano mzuri,” not “mfano nzuri”?

Adjectives agree with noun class. Mfano is class 3 (m-/mi-), so the adjective “zuri” takes the class-3 agreement: m-zuri. In the plural it would be mifano mizuri (class 4).

How would the second clause change if “mfano” were plural?

Plural “mfano” is mifano (class 4), whose object marker is i-. So you’d say:

“Walimu walitoa mifano mizuri; tusije tukaipuuza.” = “The teachers gave good examples; let’s not end up ignoring them.” (Note the change to mi- > mizuri, and OM i- in tukaipuuza.)

Is the “-je” in “tusije” the same as the question particle “Je, …?”

No. Here -je is the subjunctive ending of the verb kuja (stem ja) in a negative form: tu-si-je (“lest we come…”). The sentence-initial Je, … that marks a question is unrelated.

Why is the final vowel in “tukaupuuza” -a and not -e?

After -ka-, the verb normally stays in the indicative with the final vowel -a (e.g., “ukapoteza,” “tukaharibu”). In the “usije/ tusije … tuka- …” construction, the second verb keeps -a.

Could I just say “Tusiupuuze” instead of “Tusije tukaupuuza”? What’s the difference?

Tusiupuuze = a straightforward hortative negative: “Let’s not ignore it.”
Tusije tukaupuuza = a caution: “Lest we end up ignoring it / so that it doesn’t happen that we ignore it.” It implies an unintended or eventual outcome you want to avoid.

Why is there no separate “he/she” pronoun for “the teacher”?

Swahili encodes the subject on the verb. In a-li-toa, the a- is the class-1 subject marker, matching mwalimu. You don’t normally add a separate personal pronoun unless for emphasis or contrast.

Is the semicolon necessary, and is its use the same as in English?

A semicolon is fine and works much like in English: it links two closely related clauses. You could also use a period or a colon:

“Mwalimu alitoa mfano mzuri. Tusije tukaupuuza.”
“Mwalimu alitoa mfano mzuri: tusije tukaupuuza.” All are acceptable, with slightly different stylistic feels.

Could I say “Mwalimu akatoa mfano mzuri …” instead of “alitoa”?

Yes, but it changes the nuance. Alitoa is simple past (“gave”). Akatoa uses -ka- and often implies sequence (“and then he gave…”). In isolation, alitoa is the straightforward choice; akatoa fits better in a narrative chain of events.

Why is “u-” here the object marker and not the second person singular subject “u-”?

Because the verb already has the subject marker tu- (“we”). You can’t have two subject markers. The second u- therefore occupies the object-marker slot and agrees with mfano (class 3).